Trailer Connection with no Socket?

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Chuck Lutz
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Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by Chuck Lutz » Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:34 am

Zeph and others with "early" jeeps that do not have a trailer socket on the rear panel and who own a trailer they'd like to tow around have few options to getting lights on the trailer.

They can wire in a modern, flat connector male/female harness under the rear of the jeep and then run that wire up and into the tool box where they have placed their standard trailer socket and run the trailer cable in there to connect but that is kinda clunky.

It is possible though to wire in those flat connectors you can probably buy at U-Haul or any RV supply store and then fabricate a box that the wires come out of and connect into your pigtails you wired into your jeep harness. That box can be fitted to ride vertically in the left bumperettes and held with some wing-nuts or something so it does not bounce out on the highway. An alternative is to mount the box/plug under the gas can carrier if it is sturdy enough. Drive up to the meet and unplug the trailer and pigtail and remove the box.....voila!

When you arrive at the jeep meet to display your jeep & trailer, you simply wind up the trailer cable on the tub hook, unplug the box and trailer socket assembly from the pigtail you installed under the rear of the jeep and store it somewhere. Heck, if you are "motorpool" class, you can leave it intact. Just find some male/female plugs of WWII vintage and some cloth loomed wiring over some cloth-covered wire and you should be OK anyway. You would of course, need Ground, Stop and Brake feeds.

This kind of "mod" is right up your alley Zeph, given the quality of your metalworking!

Now....if the trailer is EARLY, not only does it NOT have a socket, but it has no trailer chain eyebolts! You'd have to decide if permanently mount them or not if you want to tow.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947


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jeepfinger
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Re: Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by jeepfinger » Sun Dec 31, 2017 12:31 pm

Thanks Chuck for stating a thread about this problem, hope that you get a few more ideas.

Happy New Year,
Dave
Dave Boocock
GPW 41158 June 19 1942
Bantam T3 9555 1/11/1943 USA 0258448
BSA WDM20 Sept 1940 C4343114

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hell-fire
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Re: Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by hell-fire » Mon Jan 01, 2018 5:11 pm

Here is what I ended up doing when I faced this issue, only two bolts and easily removed and tucked away underneath the Jeep.

Image




Note edit for silly spelling mistakes.
Last edited by hell-fire on Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
John
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1942 Willys MB-BRT 135673 D.O.D. 4-16-42 Now 97% finished
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W. Winget
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Re: Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by W. Winget » Mon Jan 01, 2018 5:22 pm

Wish we had the "G" back in '92 when I added a blackout drive light, switch and trailer socket to my early GPW...Can't just go back and weld up the holes, as it's been modified and no matter what it's been done. Just looks more like the standardized jeep with the blackout light anyway, but I do regret adding them to an unblemished vehicle (even if I had to weld up 44 other holes...)
V/R W Winget
Looking for 1918 Standard B 'Liberty' truck parts

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Re: Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by FJ.Janssen » Fri Jan 05, 2018 8:50 am

Hello,

I used the picture of John, to install the trailer socket on my March 1942 MB.

Image

What I have seen before, is that the eyes will not be installed but the hooks are hang on the bumperettes.
1 hook to the left, 1 hook to the right.

a bigger issue was how to install the directional / flash lights.
I made up a small box with some diodes and I hope that will be working.
This is subject to when my 1/4t trailer is ready......

regards
Frank
1943 Dodge WC54- 81643667 (sold)
1942 Willy's MB - MB130887
1945 Studebaker Weasel M29C-6672 (body number)
Polynorm 1/4Te trailer (sold)
1945? 1/4Te trailer
Ben Hur 1Te trailer
Onan OTC 33-B
1939 DKW NZ250

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Re: Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by jeepfinger » Sun Jan 07, 2018 12:30 pm

Thanks John for showing us all how you did it :)

Dave
Dave Boocock
GPW 41158 June 19 1942
Bantam T3 9555 1/11/1943 USA 0258448
BSA WDM20 Sept 1940 C4343114

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Re: Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by hell-fire » Sun Jan 07, 2018 11:41 pm

Thank you Dave, this forum would be nothing if we didn't share ideas.

Glad you liked the idea to Frank.
John
Australia
Member VMVC #192
1942 Willys MB-BRT 135673 D.O.D. 4-16-42 Now 97% finished
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Mark Jesic
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Re: Trailer Connection with no Socket?

Post by Mark Jesic » Mon Jan 08, 2018 2:17 am

That is a really neat job, where would we be without this brilliant site. :D


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